The Tuscaloosa NewsMichael Hart, who was released from a Tuscaloosa mental hospital Oct. 1, has joined Facebook and included pictures of himself posing with a late-model Mustang.

View full sizeThe Huntsville TimesClick the "View full size" link for a closer look at the handwritten letter Hart sent to Judge Karen Hall.

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Michael Hart, released from a state mental hospital Oct. 1 after 13 years there, has created a Facebook page with pictures of himself lounging by a pool, along with photos of a local judge and prosecutor involved in his case.

Hart, 41, admitted in 2000 to killing and dismembering his stepfather, Girts Upeslacis, whose remains were found along Aldridge Creek. Hart was never convicted of murder - a judge in 2000 ruled he was not guilty by reason of insanity, and he was committed to the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility in Tuscaloosa.

Hart's Facebook page includes pictures of him with a new Ford Mustang and several shots of him standing or reclining near a pool in what looks like a hotel or condo complex, possibly in the Southwest. He expresses remorse for Upeslacis' death and vows to stay off drugs. The page links to a pair of TV news stories where Huntsville residents react to his release, and includes a few pictures of Assistant District Attorney Bill Starnes and Circuit Judge Karen Hall.

An attempt by The Times to reach Hart via e-mail has been unsuccessful. He provided his e-mail address and a link to the Facebook site through The Tuscaloosa News.

The State of Alabama in 2006 and 2009 petitioned the Madison County Circuit Court for Hart's release, saying he was no longer mentally ill. In both instances Starnes, the original prosecutor, and Hall opposed the move.

In October 2009, Hall ordered that Hart not be released.

Hall declined comment on the Facebook page. District Attorney Rob Broussard also said his office didn't have much to say about it.

In January, Hart sent Hall a long letter challenging her and Starnes to a debate on Fox News' "Hannity and Colmes" show (Alan Colmes left the show, which is now called "Hannity" in 2009). He questioned the court's judgment in ordering him to remain hospitalized and expressed frustration with how the murder case against him was conducted.

Hart described his strong religious faith and opposition to drugs and remorse for killing his stepfather.

"I will never, ever kill again," he wrote. "I would let somebody take my life before I would take theirs because my conscience will not allow me to kill again. It is the worst feeling in the world to know I took another human being's life. I will be happy to take a lie detector test to prove I am sincere."

He also wrote that he bears Hall and Starnes no ill will.

Hart also outlined his plans in the letter. He said he would to like hire a ghostwriter to write the story of his case, with the title "The Depths of Corruption." Hart said he would like to go back to college and become a theology professor.

Hart also expressed interest in becoming a conservative blogger, and said he wants to be like Sean Hannity and radio host Michael Savage.

"I figure if people will listen to kooks like Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Robert Byrd, they just might give me a chance," Hart wrote.

Hart's release from the state hospital followed a winding road.

A psychiatrist who had diagnosed Hart as schizophrenic later reversed his diagnosis and said Hart had suffered from drug-induced psychosis and was no longer mentally ill.

Other Taylor Hardin doctors backed that diagnosis, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health petitioned a Madison County court in 2006 and 2009 for Hart's release. Hall denied both requests, saying in her second review that she could not in good conscience release Hart.

Hall added if the Department of Mental Health's diagnosis was so grossly in error as to justify the court setting aside the finding of not guilty by reason of insanity, the defendant could be returned to Madison County for a trial, though Hall acknowledged she knew of no precedent for such a move.

A year later, a U.S. District Court found no basis for continuing to hold Hart at Taylor Hardin, citing Hart's doctors, who said he is not mentally ill and is not a danger to himself or others.

The Facebook page includes some photo montages, including one with the heading "charmed," which shows a picture of Hart after his arrest, then a later photo of Hart petitioning the local court, then a picture of Starnes and finally a shot of Hart reclining by a pool.